Monthly Archives: August 2016

Atlanta—If you’re going to perform a vasectomy reversal, use a microscope. Despite the additional time and cost involved, microsurgical vasovasostomy is superior to the loupe-assisted macroscopic technique, findings from a recent study from Korea confirm.
In the retrospective study from Bundang CHA Hospital in Sungnam, researchers found a 24% higher patency rate in patients who underwent microsurgical vasovasostomy using 9-0 nylon compared with those who underwent a loupe-assisted technique using 8-0 nylon. However, the improved patency rate of the microsurgical technique did come at the expense of a significantly longer operation time than that of the loupe-assisted approach. Read More…

From The University of Iowa-

Vasectomies can be reversed even after very long periods of time, sometimes after more than 25 years. Sperm are constantly being produced in men and even after time, there should be viable sperm. However, the success of the reversal, in terms of achieving a pregnancy, is dependent upon the experience of the surgeon, the age and fertility status of the female partner, and the length of time since the vasectomy. Read More

This particular patient had his vasectomy 8 years before the reversal. When the area of the vasectomy site is excised fluid then emanates from the testicular side of the vas. The presence of fluid and the character of the fluid can determine the success of the reversal. In general-the shorter the time period from the vasectomy to the reversal the better the success rates are for pregnancy.

Although vasectomy should be considered a permanent form of birth control, around 6 percent of men will eventually decide to undergo a vasectomy reversal. This procedure is done to restore a man’s fertility and allow him to father a child through natural means.

One method for reversing a vasectomy is a vasovasostomy. During this surgical procedure, the two cut ends of the vas deferens are sewn back together using very fine sutures viewed through a powerful surgical microscope. If successful, this procedure will enable sperm to flow from the testicles once again.

Several surgical techniques exist for rejoining the vas deferens. Some work better than others, but the best results are always obtained by doctors with training in microsurgical reconstruction. One of these methods is known as a two-layer vasovasostomy. Read More

If one of the things that makes you uneasy about a vasectomy is the idea of a needle near that very sensitive area, fear not. One of the newer techniques allows physicians to apply anesthetic needle-free, with virtually no pain whatsoever.